Mold Removal & Mold Services Before & After Photos

This homeowner in Lakewood, NJ, had some paintings and pictures that were hung along the walls of the staircase leading into the basement. He had taken them down in order to clean them, and when doing so, had an unpleasant surprise — there was mold hiding behind them. Paintings and pictures that are flush against walls can sometimes develop mold if the walls are damp in any way. 

With this home, the staircase area had the perfect environment for mold growth because humid unconditioned air from the basement came into contact with conditioned air from the first floor. You could feel the dampness in the walls from the condensation. We treated the mold in the staircase with an EPA-registered antimicrobial called MAPS 1 that attacks the mold at its DNA and kills it immediately. 

We then followed up with our patented, moisture-sensitive sealant called MAPS 2. This product encapsulates the surface mold is growing on and renders the mold non-allergenic and harmless and prevents any future mold growth in the treated areas. 

The homeowner did not want to risk future mold growth in the staircase area or basement of his home. The only long-term solution is to keep down the relative indoor humidity level in the basement (below 55%), so mold cannot grow. We installed a commercial-grade high-performance SaniDry Sedona dehumidifier and filtration system that is specifically designed to work in basements and crawl spaces. These dehumidifiers operate automatically with a built-in humidity sensor (humidistat) that allows the homeowner to set the target humidity level and let the machine take care of everything else. Also, these humidifiers drain directly either outdoors or to a sump pump, so there is no pan or reservoir to empty. 

The utility room of a unit in a Lakewood, NJ apartment building was located outside and unfortunately, the apartment unit above theirs, with a virtually identical layout, had a water leak in their utility room. The pipe leak in the unit above was fixed, but the damage to the unit below was not corrected in time and water had seeped down into the ceiling tile and sheetrock of the utility room. This mishap took place during the summer, and the residents of the bottom unit were unaware. To make matters worse, these utility rooms were not air-conditioned and these rooms were outside by the balcony and filled with hot, humid outdoor air. Unfortunately, the conditions were perfect for this small enclosed space to turn into a “petri dish” for mold growth.

The landlord contacted our office and we were sent out to inspect and treat. First,  treated the affected areas with our EPA registered anti-microbial called MAPS 1, which attacks mold on a cellular level and kills it instantly. We then scrubbed away the mold and applied MAPS 2, which is our patented sealant that encapsulates the surface mold is growing on and renders the mold non-allergenic and harmless. MAPS 2 is also moisture-sensitive and reactivates whenever it gets wet to prevent the return of mold.

Although we thoroughly wiped down the mold stains, some of the stains were too deeply embedded to remove completely. Mold stains are the residue of the mold enzymes dissolving the materials (mold is nature’s decomposer). Although mold stains look horrible, they are not harmful or allergenic like the mold itself. Even though the utility room is not a “living space” of the unit, if these residents don’t want to be reminded of the mold growth when visiting the utility room, the solution is easy. With a fresh coat of paint to the utility room walls and ceiling, you would never know that there was once was a mold problem. Once MAPS 1 & 2 have been applied, the mold is no longer a threat.

Recently, we were sent to a home in Lakewood, NJ to resolve a basement mold problem resulting from chronically high indoor humidity levels. Mold can form simply from high levels of moisture in the air not just from a water issue. When furnishings are sitting on damp floors or placed flush against damp walls, mold will often start to form. Keeping air circulating is important to minimize mold growth, and it important to have good room ventilation.

Here, during our inspection of the basement, we found mold growing on a leather couch. Mold can grow anywhere, not just on walls, floors, and ceilings! As seen in the pictures, this mold had a white, powdery appearance, almost like chalk. Different strains of mold have different colors and textures, but no matter its presentation, all mold is potentially harmful. We first noticed significant mold growth on the couch along the base underneath the seating, and after tipping up the couch to inspect its underside, the couch was found to have extensive mold growth. Mold can form on any organic material, including leather.  

We treated the entire basement with our EPA registered anti-microbial called MAPS 1, which attacks mold on a cellular level and kills it instantly. We then scrubbed away the mold and applied MAPS 2, which is our patented sealant that encapsulates the surface mold is growing on and renders the mold non-allergenic and harmless. MAPS 2 is also moisture-sensitive and reactivates whenever it gets wet to prevent the return of mold.

This Holmdel, NJ homeowner, while readying their home for sale, found surface mold growing in their basement.  We first treated the mold with our EPA-registered anti-microbial called Mold Abatement Polymer Solution (MAPS) 1. MAPS 1 attacks mold on a cellular level and kills it instantly.

We then scrubbed away the mold and applied MAPS 2, which is our patented sealant that encapsulates the surface mold is growing on and renders the mold non-allergenic and harmless. MAPS 2 is also moisture-sensitive and reactivates whenever it gets wet to prevent the return of mold.

We discussed with the homeowners the installation of a dehumidifier to prevent the mold from coming back. Dehumidification is, by far, the most important long-term preventative measure for controlling moisture that will inevitably lead to mold growth.  Mold Solutions By Cowleys sells and services powerful, maintenance-free dehumidifiers specifically designed for basements and crawl spaces. The owner understood the importance of dehumidification. However, because they were in the process of selling, the homeowners did not want to make the investment immediately before the sale, and would rather discuss the long-term resolution of mold issues in the basement with any prospective purchasers. In New Jersey, sellers are required to disclose water and dampness problems and the presence of mold in the home. 

Mold is the unfortunate result of some water intrusion or chronic humidity/high moisture conditions in a home. A two-person crew from the Cowleys Mold Solutions division was sent to a home in Lincroft, NJ to deal with a mold problem caused by a slow plumbing leak from their bathroom that had gone undetected for a while.  The dripping water caused extensive mold growth on the floor joists and sheathing in the basement.  

We treated the mold-affected areas. First, we applied our EPA-registered anti-microbial (MAPS 1). Next, we applied a patented polymer sealant (MAPS 2), wiping down any visible mold growth. Our chemical mold treatment process is truly the  “next generation” of mold treatment because it kills the mold growth right where it has formed. As long as there is no loss of structural integrity to the building materials, this chemical process often avoids expensive and unnecessary tear-out and renovation projects that are traditionally associated with mold treatment.

Our MAPS 2 sealant, while completely safe and non-toxic, instantly destroys mold on contact. Its unique quality is moisture-sensitivity. Once applied, it lies dormant ready to work again. If exposed to moisture, it reactivates, preventing the return of any new mold growth in any of the treated areas. I’ve been in the home repair and improvement business for quite awhile and it’s one of the most amazing products that I’ve had a chance to work with.

These homeowners were quite pleased that we could successfully treat the mold growth so quickly, and that we could get rid of the mold while leaving the building materials alone. With our chemical mold treatment process, these homeowners avoided a big construction job with a big price tag.